Source of dangerous listeriosis still baffles authorities

IT has been more than a year since the first listeriosis case was reported to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, however the source still remains unknown.

There have been 915 laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis and the outbreak has already claimed 172 lives.

Gauteng has the highest number of reported cases in South Africa with 59 per cent and KZN has reported seven per cent of the total cases.

Listeria is a bacterium that is naturally found in the environment. It commonly occurs in soil, water, vegetation and in the faeces of some animals.

It can contaminate a wide variety of food types, including meat and meat products, dairy products (unpasteurised and pasteurised), fresh and frozen produce (fruits, vegetables and sprouts) and ready-to-eat products. This fact, coupled with a variable incubation period that can range from six hours to 70 days, poses a major challenge in determining the source of the outbreak.

Various stakeholders, including numerous government departments, the healthcare sector, the veterinary public health sector, and the food industry are working around the clock to find the source of the outbreak.

ALSO READ: Department of Health warns against Listeriosis outbreak in SA

High-risk groups include pregnant women, adults aged above 65 years and people with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or people on medication that weakens the immune system.

The above group of people is advised to avoid foods that have more commonly been linked to outbreaks of listeriosis. These include processed, ready-to-eat meat products, soft cheeses, and unpasteurised milk and dairy products.

Processed, ready-to-eat meat products include viennas, polonies, russians, ham, other ‘cold’ meats, sausages, various corned meats, salami, pepperoni and similar products typically found in the processed meat sections of food retailers and butcheries.

World Health Organization’s (WHO) five key steps for safer food:

· Wash hands and surfaces before, and regularly during food preparation.

· Separate raw and cooked food, and don’t mix utensils and surfaces when preparing food.

· Cook food thoroughly – all bacteria are killed above 70oC.

· Keep food at safe temperatures – either simmering hot, or in the fridge.

· Use safe water and safe ingredients to prepare food.

Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts